Tobacco smoke filter



M y 16, 1967 N. a. ORRMINS 3,319,630

TOBACCO SMOKE FILTER Filed June 29, 1964 v INVENTTOR' liar/27a 6. '02:)

nited States Patent *Oce 3,3l9,63fi Patented May 16, 1 967 3,319,630TOBACCO SMOKE FILTER Norman B. Orrmins, 2616 W. 78th Place, InglewoodCalif. 90305 Filed June 29, 1964, Ser.'N0. 378,723 Claims. (Cl. 13110.7)

This invention relates to a filter and is more particularly concernedwith an improved filter construction for tobacco smoke, whichconstruction includes means having chemical properties which serve toneutralize the nicotine carried in or by the smoke.

Nicotine is a rather unstable alkaloid or base material which is presentin tobacco. This material is liberated when the tobacco is burned. Whilea substantial portion of the nicotine in tobacco is reduced or alteredby the heat to which it is subjected when the tobacco is burned, aportion thereof is carried by the smoke and is drawn into the mouth andrespiratory system of the smoker.

It has been established that nicotine is extremely toxic and is themajor cause ofcancer ofv the lungs and other parts of the respiratorysystem of persons who smoke tobacco and develop such diseases.

It has also been established that nicotine as a toxicant has serious anddetrimental effects on the nervous system of smokers and is extremelydetrimental to persons suffering with heart disease and the like. Inpoint of fact, there are strong indications that many forms of heartdisease and the like are the direct result of nicotine poisoning.

Nicotine, being an alkaloid or base material, and further, being arather weak or unstable base material, can be easily and effectivelyneutralized by means of a suitable acid, such as tannic acid.

The prior art, as early as January 7, 1873, recognized all of theforegoing. On that date, Patent No. 134,713, teaching the use of tannicacid in the presence of tobacco smoke, to neutralize the nicotinetherein, was issued. A subsequent patent, No. 253,296, issued February7', 1882, following the same basic idea as the earlier patent, disclosestobacco smoke filters including, in addition to other alternativematerials, ground up or powdered coffee beans, or tea leaves, which arerich in tannin or tannic acid, as nicotine neutralizing filtermaterials.

Applicant has found that the tobacco filter of ground or powdered coffeebeans or similarly reduced tea leaves is not practical or effective forneutralizing the nicotine in tobacco smoke. it is believed that whilethese particular tracts, as a result of flash dehydration or the like,is cellular in form, establishing a multitude of thin walls and amaximum surface extent for the mass of material involved.

The purpose for so establishing instant coffee and instant tea is toassure rapid and complete dissolving of the dehydrated extract whenmixed with water.

It is also understood that in the art of making instant coffee andinstant tea, certain volatile, aromatic oils, which would otherwise belost, are collected by means of condensers and the like and are returnedto the residue, to assure a complete and satisfying flavor and bouquet.In practice, if these oils are not put back into the dehydrated extract,the brews subsequently established thereby are fiat, that is, they lackcertain aroma or bouquet. Nevertheless, the dominant and characteristicflavors and aroma are still present and a familiar and pleasant brew isestablished.

It will be apparent that instant coffee and instant tea are laden withtannin in liberated, concentrated form and are such that when tobaccosmoke is brought into intimaterials are rich in tannin, or tannic acid,the tannin is within the cellular structure of thebeans or leaves, andis not readily available. Further, the beans or leaves. whichever thecase may be. contain an abundance of other volatile oils whicheffectively seal in and prevent the tannin from coming into intimatecontact with the nicotine carried by tobacco smoke.

Applicant has also found that while other acids, for example, pure oruncontaminated tannic acid, while extremely effective to neutrulirenicotine. present unpleasant and/or unfamiliar odors and tastes whichrender them undesirable as nicotine neutralizing agents in tobacco smokefilters.

In recent years, in the beverage art, the tannin and other chemicals andaromatic oils and the like have been extracted from coffee beans andfrom tea leaves, as by brewing or the like, which extracts have beendehydrated to provide residues which are such that when mixed withwater, produce or establish a fresh brew of the beverages coffee or tea.These dehydrated extracts or powders are commonly referred to as instantcoffee or instant tea,"

- whichever the case may be.

Itis understood and believed by applicant that the processes or methodsemployed to establish instant coffee and instant tea are such that thedehydrated residue or exmate contact with the instant coffee or tea, thenicotine in the smoke establishes direct and intimate contact with thetannin or tannic acid in said instant tea or coffee and is neutralizedthereby. This is particularly true if the instant coffee or instant teahas not been reconstituted with aromatic oils, or if the aromatic oilshave been driven off or allowed to dissipate.

Further, due to the cellular, thin walled structure of instant coffeeand instant tea, a pack or loose mass thereof creates an exceptionallygood filter pack, having a multitude of cracks, crevices, intersticesand pockets. Further, the resulting pack establishes a very large orextensive efiective area over or by which the tobacco smoke is moved.

Most persons who smoke tobacco are familiar with and have acquired ataste for coffee and/or tea. Accordingly, if a smoker, while smokingtobacco, should get the taste and/or aroma of tea or coffee, theresponse or reactiori is extremely pleasant, if not desirable.

in recent years and as a result of the established fact that tobaccosmoke has detrimental efl'ects on the health and well being of personswho smoke tobacco, the tobacco art has developed a multitude of filterconstructions for cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, all of whichconstructions are intended to remove as much of the tars, which carrythe nicotine, from the tobacco smoke before it reaches the mouth of thesmoker. The better these constructions work or function. the lesstobacco taste, aroma and resulting satisfaction which is experienced bysmokers, is attained. Accordingly, and in order to overcome theseadverse effects, the tobacco industry has turned to the use of strongerand heavier tobaccos, which tobaccos overcome the effectiveness of thefilters, or have intentionally reduced the effectiveness of the filtersso that the smoker stills gets a smoke.

An object of my invention is to provide a filter construction fortobacco smoke, the primary purpose of which is to neutralize thenicotine carried by the smoke and to thereby render the smoke nontoxicor detrimental to the health and well-being of the smoker.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a filterconstruction of the character referred to which has limited filteringeffects and is not such that the smoker is deprived of the smoke.

It is another object of the present invention to provide hydrated tea orcoffee extract as which combinations are familiar, pleasant andacceptable to the cultered tastes of the smokers.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide afilter construction of the character referred to which includes a bodyor mass of dehydrated coffee or tea extract, which dehydrated extracthas a high percentage content of concentrated and free tannin or tannicacid. 7 a a It is an object of the present invention to provide suitablestructure for carrying, supporting or retaining dehydrated coffee or teaextract for use in filtering and neutralizing the nicotine in tobaccosmoke.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical preferredforms and applications of my invention, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a filler tip cigarette construction;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially asindicated by line 2-2 on FIGURE 1 and showing one form of filterconstruction;

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 are views similar to FIGURE 2.

and showing other or modified forms of filter constructrons;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view illustrating one form of cellular,dehydrated, tea or coffee extract;

FIGURE 7 is an isometric view showing another form of filterpackembodying the present invention; FIGURE 8 is an isometric view of afilter cartridge embodying the present invention for use in pipes and/orcigarette holder; and,

I FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of a bonded plug of deprovided by thepresent invention.

The cigarette A illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings is atypical'filter tip cigarette construction and in iudes an elongatecylindrical sleeve B of thin or light,

readily combustible paper, having open, front and rear ends 10 and 11. Aloosepack of cigarette tobacco C is arranged in and retained by thesleeve B. An elongate filter tube D having open front and rear end 12and 13 is related to the rear end of the sleeve B, with the frontendportion of the tube D engaged about the rear end portion of thesleeve B. rather rigid or still paper and projects rcarwardly from thercar'cnd of the sleeve B and the tobacco pack C therein to establish arearwardly opening filter pack receiving chamber E.

The filter tube I) is suflieicntly rigid to provide a structure that canbe comfortably engaged between and held by the lips of a person smokingthe cigarette.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, acylindrical filter plug F of crepe paper and of limited longitudinalextent is engaged in and closes the rear end portion of the tube D. Theplug Foccurs in spaced relationship from the rear end 11 of the sleeve Band the pack of tobacco C therein to define a chamber or space in thecentral forward portion of the tube. A filter pack G of dehydrated teaor coffee extract is deposited in the said space between the plug F andthe rear end of the sleeve and tobacco pack.

In practice, the filter pack G can be in the form of loose, airygranules of dehydrated coffee or tea extract, as V illustrated in FIGURE6 of the drawings, or can, if desired, be in the nature of a slug, asillustrated in FIG- URE 9 of the drawings and as will hereinafter bedescribed.

With the structure illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings and describedin the preceding, it will be apparent that tobacco'smoko drawn throughthe filter construction by the smoker, is drawn through the filter packG and The tube D is established of in intimate contact with the tannin,or tannic acid saturated, dehydrated coffee or tea extract.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the nicotine in the tobaccosmoke drawn through the filter pack is suitably neutralized.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings,the sleeve B, tobacco pack C and the filter tube D, defining the chamberE are the same or chamber E. The wadding H, in one form of the invention, has deposited, throughout its volumetric extent, a

multiplicity of granules of dehydrated coffee or tea 'ex-. The fibers ofthe wadding serve to hold and maintract.

tain the granules captured. 7

In another modified form of the invention, the fibers ofthe wadding canbe treated or coated with a suitable cementing agent, such as molasses,honey, or simple syrup,

to hold and maintain the granules in place.

In yet another form of the invention, as illustrated in' FIGURIE 3 ofthe drawings, the several fibers or strands of the wadding II aresuitably coated with liquid coffee or tea extract, as by immersion insuch extract The coated wadding is then subjected to suitable heat and asuitable atmosphere ,to dehydrate the extract and to drive off certainof the aromatic oils and the like.

When the wadding is thus coated with dry, dehydrated, substantially oilfree extract, it is construction.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that in the filter Iconstruction or constructions illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings,the smoke drawn through. the filter pack H is drawn and moved over andacross the coated surfaces of the fibers in such a manner as toneutralize the nicotine in thetobacco smoke.

In the fermof the invention illustrated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, thesleeve B tobacco pack C and the filter tube D are substantially the sameor identical to the sleeve, tobacco pack and tube in the two precedingforms of the invention.

In this form of the invention, the filter plug F at the rear end of thetube D is of lesser longitudinal extent than the plug F in the form ofthe inventionillustrated in ll'GURli 2 of the drawings, lnaddition tothe filter I plug F, a primary filter plug F is arranged in the forwardportion of the tube l) and in spaced relationship from the plug F. Afilter tea extract (i is arranged in the tube in the space defined bythe tube and the two axially spaced filter pugs F and F It will beapparent from the foregoing that the construction illustrated in FIGURE4 is substantially'thc same as that illustrated in i lGURE 2, so far asthe function 'of the construction is concerned. secondary filter plug Fserves as a primary condenser for the smoke, before it enters the filterpack G and therefore conditions the smoke for subsequent treatment bythe filter pack G The construction shown in FIGURE 4 of the draw-' ingsmay also greatly facilitate construction of the filter, particularlywhere loose granular dehydrated extract is employed to establish thepack G i In the form of the invention illustrated 'in FIGURE 5 ofthe'drawings, the sleeve 8 tobacco C tube D the chamber E definedthereby and the filter plug F are subinto a plug. The surfaces of thestrip of paper are treat- I placed into the cigarette.

pack of dehydrated coffee or However, the

ed or coated with a suitable bonding or cementing agent such as simplesyrup, honey or molasses and are sprinkled or otherwise coated withgranular dehydrated coffee or tea extract, as desired.

In another form of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE 5 of thedrawings, the paper strip is initially coated as by dipping or the like,in concentrated tea or coffee extract and is subsequently subjected tothe proper atmosphere and heat to dehydrate the coatingthereon and todry off excessive and/or undesirable oils and the like. The dehydratingprocess can be performed before the strip is gathered into its plugform, or if desired, can be performed after the strip has beenestablished in plug form, in which case the extract serves to bond andhold the. plug in predetermined fixed relationship and defines aplurality of longitudinally extending flow passages or ducts, the wallsof which are established by said dehydrated extract.

In the preceding I have restricted my disclosure to filter constructionsadapted for use in connection with cigarettes and/ or cigars. that afilter construction employingdehydrated coffee or tea extract can beadvantageously employed in pipe filter constructions and in filterconstructions commonly employed in cigarette holders.

In FIGURE 8 of the drawings, I have illustrated a typical filtercartridge construction, such as is commonly employed in pipes and incigarette holders. This filter construction includes an elongate tubularshell or cartridge I formed of paper or of plastic, perforated closuresI engaged in and closing the ends of the cartridge and a filter pack GWithin the cartridge, between and retained by the closures.

The filter cartridge construction shown in FIGURE 8 and described aboveis adapted to be engaged in a suitable chamber provided in the stemportion of a pipe or in the stern portion of a cigarette holder, inaccordance with common practice.

In FIGURE 7 of the drawings, I have attempted to diagrammaticallyillustrate the manner in which the filter plugs F through F and thefilter pack or packs G are, or can be established.

In FIGURE 9 of the drawings, I have illustrated a plug of dehydratedcoffee or tea extract, which plug is established by pressing a pluralityof extract granules, such as illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings,together, or a plug wherein a plurality of granules such as isillustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings are bonded or cemented togetherby means of a suitable cement or' bonding agent, such as molasses, honeyor the like.

It will be apparent that a plug, such as is illustrated in FIGURE 9 ofthe drawings, can be established by simply urging the granules togetherin the presence of sufficient moisture, so as to cause the granules tofuse together and then dehydrating the plug to establish the desiredfixed bond. I

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have invented a new andimproved filter construction wherein the tobacco smoke is brought ormoved into intimate contact with tannin or tannic acid and the nicotinetherein is suitably neutralized so that the smoke issuing from thefilter and into the mouth and respiratory system of the smoker isrendered nontoxic.

The by-product of the neutralized tannic acid and nicotine is tartrateand is a neutral substance which is in no way harmful or detrimental toones health.

While it is a primary object of this invention to neutralize thenicotine in tobacco smoke, the filter construction that I provide hasexceptionally high or great absorbing characteristics and effectivelyabsorbs the greater portion of the empyreumatic oil, which oil is alsopoisonous and is detrimental to ones health, but to a lesser degree thannicotine.

It will be apparent that if the filter construction that I providebecomes moistened by the smokers saliva, as

It will be apparent, however,

it frequently the case, and the accumulated or collected tars and thelike are conducted or carried by said moisture to the lips and tongue ofthe smoker, or should the filter pack become otherwise saturated withtars and residue from the tobacco smoke, the sharp, bitter andunpleasant taste and aroma of the tobacco smoke residue, is effectivelyovercome by the dominant, concentrated tea or coffee extract with whichsaid tars or tobacco smoke residue are intimately mingled.

It will be apparent that the filter construction that I providedistinguishes from filter constructions provided by the prior art, wheretannin or tannic acid is provided to neutralize the nicotine in thetobacco smoke, by providing said tannic acid in a usable andconcentrated form and in combination with other chemicals and/or oilshaving flavors and aromas which are compatible with the aroma and tasteof tannic acid and compatible with the cultivated tastes of smokers.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details hereinset forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications and/orvariations that may appear to those skilled in the art and which fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a tobacco filter, a filter pack of'dehydrated coffee brew extractgranules in cellular form and arranged in bridging contact with eachother and formed as a tobacco smoke filter.

2. In a tobacco filter construction of the character referred to, afilter pack of dehydrated-tea brew extract granules in cellular form andarranged in bridging contact with each other and formed as a tobaccosmoke filter.

3. A cigarette of the character referred to including, an elongatesleeve of combustible paper having open front and rear ends, a pack oftobacco within said sleeve, an elongate filter tube fixed to andprojecting from the rear end of the sleeve and opening rearwardly, atobacco smoke filter pack within the tube, said filter pack including, aplug of compacted cellular granules of dehydrated coffee brew extract.

4. A cigarette of the character referred to including, an elongatesleeve of combustible paper having open front and rear ends, a pack oftobacco within said sleeve, an elongate filter tube fixed to andprojecting from the rear end of the sleeve and opening rearwardly, atobacco smoke filter pack within the tube, said filter pack including, aplug of compacted cellular granules of dehydrated tea brew extract.

5. A cigarette of the character referred to including, an elongatesleeve of combustible paper having open front and rear ends, a pack oftobacco within said sleeve, an elongate filter tube fixed to andprojecting from the rear end of the sleeve and opening rearwardly, atobacco smoke filter pack within the tube, said filter pack including, acellulose fiber plug of limited longitudinal extent arranged in the rearend portion of the tube and spaced from the rear end of the tobaccopack, and a bridged deposit of dehydrated tea brew extract granules incellular form in the tube between the plug and the tobacco pack.

6. A cigarette of the character referred to including, an elongatesleeve of combustible paper having open front and rear ends, a pack oftobacco within said sleeve, an elongate filter tube fixed to andprojecting from the rear end of the sleeve and opening rearwardly, atobacco smoke filter pack within the tube, said filter pack including, acellulose fiber plug of limited longitudinal extent arranged in the rearend portion of the tube and spaced from the rear end of the tobaccopack, and a bridged deposit of dehydrated coffee brew extract granulesin cellular form in the tube between the plug and the tobacco pack.

7. A cigarette of the character referred to including, an elongatesleeve of combustible paper having open front and rear ends, a pack oftobacco within said sleeve,

an elongate filter tube fixed to and projecting from the rear end of thesleeve and opening rearwa'rdiy, a tobacco smoke filter pack within thetube, said filter pack ineluding. a cellulose fiber plug of limitedlongitudinal extent arranged in the rear end ofthe tube and spaced fromthe rear end of the tobacco pack, and a plug of cellular granules ofdehydrated tea brew extract arranged in bridging contact with each otherin the tube between the cellulose fiber plug and the tobacco pack.

8. A cigarrette of the character referred to including, an elongatesleeve of combustible paper having open front and rear ends, a pack oftobacco within said sleeve, an elongate filter tube fixed toandprojecting from the rear end of the sleeve and opening rearwardly,a'tobacco smoke filter pack within the tube, said filter pack including,a cellulose fiberplug of limited longitudinal extent arranged in therear end of the tube and spaced from the rear end of the tobacco pack,and a plug of cellular granules of dehydrated coffee brew extractarranged in bridging contact with each other in the tube between the feebrew extract between the plugs.

10. A cigarette of the character'referred to, including, an elongatesleeve of combustible paper having open front and rear ends, a pack oftobacco within said sleeve, an elongate filter tube fixed to andprojecting from the rear end of the sleeve and opening rearwardly atobacco smoke filter pack within the tube, said filter pack ineluding, aprimary filter'plug of cellulose fiber ir the forward end of the tube, asecondary'filter plug of cellulose fiber in the rcar'end of the tube andspaced from 7 said primary lug, and a deposit of cellular granule ofdehydrated :tea brew extract between the plugs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS I p 253,296,2/1882 Kinney 131 10 1,325,060 12/1919 Toms 131-47 2,172,946 9/1939Suttcr 131-203,. 3,079,926 3/1963 Litchfield et ill. 131-40 SAMUELKOREN, Primary Examiner.

D. J. DONOHUE, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A TOBACCO FILTER, A FILTER PACK OF DEHYDRATED COFFED BREW EXTRACTGRANULES IN CELLULAR FORM AND ARRANGED IN BRIDGING CONTACT WITH EACHOTHER AND FORMED AS A TOBACCO SMOKE FILTER.
 2. IN A TOBACCO FILTERCONSTRUCTION OF THE CHARACTER REFERRED TO, A FILTER PACK OF DEHYDRATEDTEA BREW EXTRACT GRANULES IN CELLULAR FOM AND ARRANGED IN BRIDGINGCONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND FORMED AS A TOBACCO SMOKE FILTER.